Kigali: Rwanda’s Under 15 National team failed to reach the final of the 2019 CECAFA Under 15 Boys Challenge Cup after losing to Kenya on penalties on Wednesday afternoon at Asmara Stadium in Eritrea.
Rwanda and Kenya played a 1-all draw in normal regulation time following Kevin Wangaya Injehu’s 46th minute goal for Kenya which was canceled by Sultan Bobo Sibomana in the 63rd minute.
Rwanda dominated the first half with Iradukunda Pacifique securing a clear chance to find the net in the opening minutes of the game all alone leaving Kenyan goalie Lwangu Alvin Odari to save his goal post with a brilliant save.
Rwanda continued to press with Irahamye Eric, Sibomana and skipper Hoziyana Kenedy all getting their attempts saved by Kenyan goalie and good defence.
Kenya also got some chances in the first half through Wangaya, Sirma Teddy, Harel Gil and Kahindi Nyale but Rwandan goalie Nshimiyimana Christian outstandingly played an outstanding role as he kept his goal line safe.
A lapse in defense from Rwanda in the opening minutes of the second half earned Kenya a lead with Wangaya netting the opening goal for the Kenyan youngsters.
Rwanda continued to press and thanks to Sibomana, they secured an equalizer in the 63rd minute. With two minutes to the end of the game, Kenya’s Umar Yasin Rajab was sent off after a second bookable offence committed on Rwandan forward Irahamye.
With a 1-all draw in normal time, both sides had to be separated by penalties with Kenya converting four penalties while Rwanda only managed to score two penalties respectively.
Penalties converted for Kenya were from Ibrahim Mone Mwaro, Robby Kahindi Mangi, Joseph Munala Odera and Kevin Wangaya Injehu who netted the last winning penalty while skipper James Murage Gachango’s penalty as saved by Rwandan goalie Nshimiyimana Christian.
For Rwanda, Eric Irahamye and Sultan Bobo Sibomana managed to convert their penalties while Serieux Mbonyamahoro and David Niyo’s penalties were saved by Kenyan goalie Alvin Odari Lwangu.
In the second semi-final match, Uganda powered past Burundi registering a 6-0 victory in a one-sided match to book a place in the finals.
Rwanda will face Burundi in the third place match of the tournament due on Friday before Uganda takes on Kenya in the final.
The Cecafa U-15 Challenge Cup, the first of its kind in Africa has been funded by FIFA. The tournament has attracted hosts Eritrea, Burundi, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Tanzania. (End)